Portable hoist



F. M. HENNE PORTABLE HOIST Aug. 16, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1964 INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. HENNE BY Z a i A; iORNEYS.

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F. M. HENNE PORTABLE HOIST Aug. 16, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 22. 1964 INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. HENNE FIG-l3 36 1 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 16, 1966 F. M. HENNE PORTABLE HOIST s Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Sept. 22, 1964 FIG-l6 INVENTOR.

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F. M. HENNE PORTABLE HOIST Aug. 16, 1966 s Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 22, 1964 274 ATTORNEYS.

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2 O O 4 m 2 3 aufi 7 I I IQ ll n) 4/ 2 fi PW! 8% H 4 6 a 2 2 2 9- 2 2% P 3,256,598 Ice Patented August 16, 1966 3,266,598 PORTABLE HOIST Frederick M. Henna, 108 Wm. Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, Ohio Filed Sept. 22, 1964, 'Ser. No. 398,252 14 Claims. (Cl. 187-2) This invention relates to a portable hoist and, more particularly, to a portable hoist for use in transporting and removing elements such as lighting fixtures or the like from a support on a high ceiling.

In buildings having high ceilings such as churches, auditoriums, and gymnasiums, for example, lighting fixtures are often supported a substantial distance above the floor of the building. Since these lighting fixtures require repairs and maintenance such as cleaning, for example, the usual manner of performing general maintenance has been to have a Workman climb a high ladder and work therefrom. This is an exceedingly difficult and dangerous operation because of the height at which the workman is disposed on the ladder.

Since it is sometimes necessary to transport a lighting fixture to the floor to repair it, the workman also has the problem of removing the lighting fixture from its support member, which may be a threaded conduit or an electrical outlet box, for example. Thereafter, the workman must carry the fixture down the ladder; this increases the difficulty and danger of the operation.

My copending US. patent application, Serial No. 184,292, filed April 2, 1962, now Patent No. 3,173,413, discloses an improved supporting means to permit easy disengagement of a lighting fixture from its support member while simultaneously interrupting an electrical circuit and to allow easy engagement of the lighting fixture with its support member while simultaneously completing an electrical circuit. Thus, the problem of the lighting fixture being secured by fixed means, rather than by removable means, is eliminated by my aforesaid copending application. Accordingly, when the lighting fixture includes the invention of my aforesaid copending patent application, the workman is not required to perform any lengthly disconnection operations at the high elevation above the floor as when the lighting fixture is secured to a threaded conduit or an electrical outlet box, for example.

However, even with the improved supporting means of my aforesaid copending patent application, the lighting fixture must still be removed from its support by the workman and carried or transported down to the floor by the workman as he proceeds down the ladder. Thus, a dangerous operation is still required by the workman in having to use a high ladder to carry the lighting fixture down and up. Furthermore, the possibility of damage or destruction of the lighting fixture also exists when the workman is carrying the lighting fixture down or up the ladder.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems by providing a portable hoist, which may be easily moved through a door opening of standard size, to transport the electrical fixture from its support to the floor and from the floor to its support. While the present invention is particularly adapted for use with the improved supporting means of my aforesaid copending patent application, it also may be readily utilized Where a' fixture is secured to a threaded conduit or an electrical outlet box. When used in the latter situation, it is necessary for the workman to climb a high ladder to remove the lighting fixture from its fixed support, but the portable hoist of the present invention eliminates the need for the workman to either carry the lighting fixture down the ladder or transport it up the ladder. Furthermore, the portable hoist of the present invention provides support to the lighting fixture while the workman is connecting or disconnecting the lighting fixture from a threaded conduit or electrical outlet box, for example. Thus, the present invention permits the workman to concentrate completely on connecting or disconnecting the lighting fixture without having to support it.

An object of this invention is to provide a device to remove an element supported from a high ceiling such as a lighting fixture with the workman remaining on the floor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling such as a lighting fixture from its high ceiling support to the floor with the workman remaining on the floor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device for removing an element supported from a high ceiling such as a lighting fixture in which the device may easily pass through a door opening of standard size.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upon a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the drawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the portable hoist of the present invention in a disassembled relationship in which it is transported through a door opening of standard size.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view, taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, of a pivotal connection of an extensible member of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the elements of FIGURE 2 in a connected position.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a lock used to retain the elements taken along line 4-4 of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of the portable hoist of the present invention in a partially assembled position.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure of FIGURE 5 and taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5 and showing the pivotal connection of the extensible member to a pivotal member.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of a lock employed to hold the pivotal member on the carriage.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of the hoist of the present invention in its assembled position.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the hoist of FIGURE 9 in position to remove a lighting fixture from its support.

FIGURE 11 is a top plan view of a reel used with the hoist of the present invention.

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the reel of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure of FIGURE 12 and taken along line 1313 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a front elevational view of an elevator used with the hoist of the present invention.

FIGURE 15 is a top plan View of the structure of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 16-16 of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 17 is a front elevational view showing a support for transporting the lighting fixture.

FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the support of FIG- URE 17 with the lighting fixture shown in phantom.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged elevational view of a latch portion of the support of FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 20 is a sectional view, partly in plan, taken along the line 20-20 of FIGURE 19.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURE 1, there is shown the portable hoist of the present invention including a carriage 10 having a rectangular shaped base 12 supported at its four corners by legs 14 and 16. Each of the legs has a roller 20 rotatably mounted thereon at its lower extremity to render the carriage 10 movable.

The base 12 has a track formed along each of its longer sides. Each of the tracks has a U-shaped cross section. Each of the tracks has a bottom flange 22 and a top flange 24 connected together by a base 26.

A pivotal member 28 includes a pair of identical side members 30 and 32 (see FIGURES 1 and 9). Each of the side members 30 and 32 has a bottom portion 34 and an upright portion 36 extending at substantially right angles to the bottom portion 34.

The side members 30 and 32 have their bottom portions 34 secured together by a cross rod or tie rod member 38 extending therebetween. The upright portions 36 of the side members 30 and 32 are connected together by members 40 and 42 extending therebet ween.

The front end of the bottom portion 34 of the side members 30 and 32 of the pivotal member 28 have rollers 44 rotatably mounted thereon by a bolt 46. The rearward portion 34 of the side members 30 and 32 have similar rollers 48 rotatably mounted at the end as the roller 44 is mounted on the opposite end of the bottom portion 34 of the side members 30 and 32. These rollers form a set of spaced rollers, which support the pivotal member 28, with each riding on one of the bottom flanges 22 of the tracks on opposite sides of the base 12.

The rearward end of the bottom portion 34 of the side members 38 and 32 have rollers 48 (see FIGURE 6) rotatably mounted thereon by a bolt 50. A spacer 52 is disposed between the rollers 44 and 48 and the side of the bottom portion 34. A nut 54 is attached to the threaded end of the bolt 50 for securing the rollers 48 to the bottom portion 34.

These rollers cooperate to form a set of spaced rollers on the pivotal member 28 for cooperation with the tracks on opposite sides of the base 12 of the carriage 10 to support the pivotal member 28.

When the portable hoist of the present invention is disposed near a lighting fixture, the pivotal member 28 is rotated counter-clockwise (as viewed in FIGURE 1) about the pins 46 and the pins 50 on the rearward portion 34 of the side members 30 and 32. This moves the pivotal member 28 to its upright position of FIGURE 5. In order to raise the pivotal member 28 to the position of FIGURE from FIGURE 1, it is necessary to guide the rollers 44 and rollers 48 of the spaced set on the side members 30 and 32 into the tracks or flange 22 on opposite sides of the base 12 of the carriage 10.

It should be understood that a basket 56, which functions as a support for a lighting fixture to be removed, is lifted from resting on the member 40 of the pivotal member 28 prior to any movement of the pivotal member 28. The pivotal member 28 is retained in its upright position on the base 12 by a lock 58.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the lock 58 includes latches 60, which are pivotally mounted on the bottom portions 34 by cross rod 38 extending between the side members 30 and 32. The latches 60 have surface 64, which bears against the top flange 24 of both side tracks of the base 12. A thumb screw 66, which is mounted on the rearward portion of latch 60 to hold the surface 64 in engagement with the top flange 24 to lock the pivotal member 28 in its upright position.

The thumb screw 66 fits through latch (FIGURE 8) on the bottom portion 34 of the side member on which it is mounted. Thus, as the thumb screw 66 moves down wardly, it moves the surface 64 of the latch 60 into its locking position. Accordingly, the pivotal member 28 may be movedalong the tracks of the base 12 of the carriage to position the pivotal member 28 with respect thereto by releasing the lock member 58.

An extensible member 68 includes portions 70 and 82 (see FIGURE 2), which are pivotally connected together 7 by a pin 74. Each of the portions 70 and 72 has side members 71 and 73, respectively, extending therebetween.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the extensible member 68 is disposed on the carriage 10 beneath the base 12 and rests on support bars '76 and 78, which extend between the legs of the carriage 10. Thus, the extensible member 68 is easily transported by the carriage 10. The width of the two portions 78 and 72 of the extensible member 68 is less than the narrow width of the carriage 10.

When the pivotal member 28 is in its upright position, the extensible member 68 is formed by pivoting one of the portions 78 and 72 with respect to the other so that they form a continuation of each other as shown in FIGURE 3. In this position, the portions 70 and 72 are secured together by a lock 80.

The lock 80 includes a nut 82 (see FIGURE 4), which is fixedly secured to the portion 70 of the extensible member 68. The nut 82 has a threaded passage 84 extending therethrough. The passage 84 is in alignment with a threaded opening 86 extending through the portion 70.

The end of the portion 72 is reduced in thickness so as to fit beneath the portion 70 (see FIGURE 4), which also is reduced in thickness at its end. The portion 72 has a threaded opening 88 extending therethrough and movable into alignment with the threaded opening 86 and the threaded passage 84 when the portion 72 forms a continuation of the portion 70. With the threaded passage 84 and the threaded openings 86 and 88 in alignment, an exteriorly threaded member 90 is inserted therein and threaded therethrough to lock the portions 70 and 72 together.

With the portions 70 and 72 of the extensible member 68 secured together by the lock 80 and the pivotal member 28 in its upright position of FIGURE 5, the extensible member 68 may be placed on top of the upright portions 36 of the pivot member 28. As shown in FIGURE 7, each of the upright portions 36 has a right angle member 92 attached thereto through base 94 of the right angle member 92 by welding or other suitable means.

The member 92 has an upstanding portion 96 substan tially parallel to the adjacent upright portion 36 of the pivotal member 28. The upstanding portion 96 has a slot 98 (see FIGURE 1) formed therein from its outer surface.

Each side of the extensible member 68 has a circular member 190 extending therefrom with a diameter substantially equal to the width of the slot 98 to support the extensible member 68 on the pivotal member 28. Each of the circular members 100 has an enlarged end 102 for disposition between the upstanding portion 96 of the right angle member 92 and the adjacent upright portion 36 of the pivotal member 28. This permits pivotal movement of the extensible member 68 about the circular member 100 while retaining the extensible member 68 on the pivotal member 28.

One end of the extensible member 68 has a flexible member 184 such as a rope or string, for example, connected thereto. When the flexible member 104 is pulled 'by the workman on the floor, the extensible member 68 pivots clockwise (as viewed in FIGURE 5) about the circular members 100, which are located at a point having the weight of the extensible member 68 substantially equally distributed.

Movement of the extensible member 68 is stopped by engagement with the pivotal member 28 whereby the extensible member 68 is disposed in the same vertical plane (see FIGURES 9 and 10) as the pivotal member 28. The extensible member 68 is retained in this position by a locking member 106 (see FIGURE 9), which is pivotally mounted on one of the side members 71 of the portion 70 of the extensible member 68 and engages the member 5 42 of the pivotal member 28 to attach the extensible member 68 to the pivotal member 28.

The extensible member 68 has a reel 108 mounted adjacent one end thereof (see FIGURES l, 5, and As shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, the reel 108 includes a shaft 110. One end of the shaft 110 is journaled in a mounting plate 114, which is secured to the extensible member 68 by a suitable means such as bolts 116. The other end of the shaft 110 is journaled in a mounting plate 118, which is secured to the extensible member 68 by suitable means such as bolts 120.

The ends of the shaft 110 extend beyond the ends of the mounting plates 114 and 118 to permit a handle 122 (see FIGURES 10-12) to be fitted over either end of the shaft 110 to cause rotation of a center drum 124, which is secured to the shaft 110, of the reel 108. The handle 122 is shown in solid lines on one end of the shaft 110 and in phantom lines on the other end of the shaft 110 in FIGURES 10-12.

The center drum 124 of the reel 108 has a flexible member 126 such as a rope, for example, wound thereon. One end of the flexible member 126 is secured to the drum 124 of the reel 108 while the other end of the flexible member 126 is attached to an elevator 128 (see FIGURE 14). The flexible member 126 passes over a pulley 127 (see FIGURE 9), which is supported at the top of the extensible member 68 on one of the side members 73, between the center drum 124 and the elevafor 128.

As shown in FIGURE 14, the flexible member 126 is connected through a member .129 and a chain link 130 to a member 132, which has one end of each of a pair of cross arms 134 and 136 of the elevator 128 pivotally connected thereto. The other ends of the cross arms 134 and 136 are pivotally connected to pistons 138 and 140, respectively, which slide within cylinders 142 and 144 of the elevator 128.

As shown in FIGURE 14, the piston 138 has its other end connected to a member 146 by a screw 148. The end of the piston 138, which is connected to the member 146, is enlarged to provide a shoulder at its inner end against which one end of a coil spring 150 bears. The other end of the spring 150 contacts the end of the cylinder 142. The spring 150 constantly urges the piston 138 outwardly unless force is exerted through the flexible member 126 on the arm 134.

A similar arrangement exists between the piston 140 and the cylinder 144, which has a member 152 attached at its end by a screw 154. As shown in FIGURE 16, the member 152 has a pair of rubber stops 156 and 158 mounted thereon by screws 160 and 162, respectively. The member 146 has rollers 164 and 166 similarly mounted thereon.

As shown in FIGURE 15, the extensible member 68 has a pair of tracks, which are U-shaped in cross section, disposed on opposite sides thereof. Each of the tracks on the extensible member 68 includes a base 168 and side flanges 170 and 172.

As shown in FIGURE 16, the member 152 is of less width than the base 168 of the tracks of the extensible member 68 so that it freely rides therein. Similarly, the member 146 also is of less width than the base 168 of the track of the extensible member 68 to freely ride therein.

The spring 150 in the cylinder 142 and the spring (not shown) in the cylinder 144 urge the rubber stops 164 and 166 of the member 146 and the rubber stops 156 and 158 of the member 152, respectively, into engagement with the bases 168 of the tracks of the extensible member 68 whenever force is not exerted by the flexible member 126 to prevent descent of the elevator 128. Of course, this occurs if the flexible member 126 or the reel 108 should break, for example.

When force is exerted through the flexible member 126, the arms 134 and 136 are pivoted upwardly. The

upward pivotal movement of the arms 134 and 136 is limited by engagement with stops and 137, respectively, on the cylinders 142 and 144, respectively.

The elevator 128 is preferably cast'of aluminum and includes a rectangular shaped inner frame 174, which has an open center within which the cross arms 134 and 136 are disposed as are parts of the cylinders 142 and 144 and the connecting member 132. The frame 174 supports the cylinders 142 and 144.

The elevator 128 has a top member 176 and a bottom member 178 secured together by side ribs 180 and 182. As shown in FIGURE 15, the top member 176 is C-shaped in cross section and has ends fitting around the sides of the frame 174. The bottom member 178 has a similar configuration. The [frame 174, the top member 176 and the bottom member 178 form a unitary assembly through the top member 176 and the bottom member 178 being secured to the inner frame 174 by suitable means such as Welding.

The top member 176 and the bottom member 178 have where 184 extending from each side thereof and rotatably mounted thereon through pins 186. As shown in FIG- URE 16, each of the rollers 184 bears against the side flanges 170 and 172 of one of the tracks of the extensible member 68.

The top member 17 6 and the bottom member 178 have second sets of rollers 188 at each end thereof for cooperation with the bases 163 of the tracks of the extensible member 68. As shown in FIGURE 16, each of the rollers 188 is mounted by extending lugs 190 and 192 on each end of the top member 176 and the bottom member 178 through a bolt 194. The rollers 188 have a spacer 196 disposed between them. The bolt 194 passes through aligned openings in the lugs 190 and 192, the spacer 196 and the rollers 188, and has a nut 200 secured to its other end to hold the roller 188 in position.

As shown in FIGURES l4 and 16, the rollers 188 of the top member 176- are positioned beneath the rollers 184 of the top member 176. The roller 188 of the bottom member 178 are positioned above the rollers 184 of the bottom member 178.

The basket 56 (see FIGURE 17), which functions as a support member for a lighting fixture or other element to be removed from a support on a high ceiling, is adapted to be removably attached to the elevator 128 for movement therewith. The basket 56 includes a back portion 204 and two curved portions 206 and 208' (see FIGURE 18).

The curved portion 206 is pivotally mounted on a rod 210, which is fastened at its lower end to a bottom plate 212 having a circular opening forming its center. The curved portion 208 is pivotally mounted on a rod 214, which also is secured at its lower end to the bottom plate 212.

The upper ends of the rods 210 and 214 are joined together by a bracket 216. The bracket 216 is held on the rod 210 by a nut 218, which cooperates with a threaded end of the rod 210. Similarly, the bracket 216 is retained on the rod 214 by a nut 220, which cooperates with a threaded end of the rod 214.

The curved portion 206 includes three spaced, parallel transverse members 222, 224, and 226. The transverse members 222, 224, and 226 are secured together by a plurality of spaced, parallel rods 228, which are joined to each of the transverse members 222, 224, and 226 by suitable means such as rivets 230.

The curved portion 208 includes three spaced, parallel transverse members 232, 234, and 236. The transverse members are secured together by a plurality of spaced, parallel rods 238, which are attached to the transverse members 232, 234, and 236 by suitable means such as rivets 240.

One end of each of the transverse members 222, 224, and 226 of the curved portion 208 is formed to fit around the rod 210 so as to be pivotal about the rod 210. Similarly, one end of each of the transverse members 232, 234, and 236 of the curved portion 206 is formed to fit around the rod 214 so as to be pivotal about the rod 214.

As shown in FIGURE 17, the transverse members 222 and 232 are disposed in the same horizontal plane. Likewise, the transverse members 224 and 234 are in the same horizontal plane and the transverse members 226 and 236 are in the same horizontal plane.

The back portion 204 of the basket 56 is secured to the bottom plate 212 by a plurality of spaced, parallel rods 242, 244, 246, and 248 (see FIGURE 18). As shown in FIGURE 17, the rods 244 and 246 extend above the remainder of the basket 56 and are joined together by a cross member 250.

The back portion 204 has three spaced, parallel transverse members (the upper member shown at 252 in FIG- URES 18 and 19), which are disposed in the same horizontal planes as the transverse members of the curved portions 206 and 208. The rods 242, 244, 246, and 248 are attached to the transverse members by suitable means such as rivets 254 (see FIGURE 19).

A snap catch 256 is employed to retain the curved portion 208 in a closed position wherein the curved portion 208 is in the same vertical plane as the periphery of the bottom plate 212. A snap catch 258, which is identical to the snap catch 256, is utilized to hold the curved portion 206 in a closed position wherein the curved portion 206 is disposed in the same vertical plane as the periphery of the bottom plate 212.

Referring to FIGURES 19 and 20, the snap catch 258 has an apertured opening extending therethrough to permit the snap catch 258 to slide over the rod 228. The snap catch 258 abuts against the lower surface of the top transverse member 222 of the back portion 204 and is held in that position by a collar 260, which is secured to the rod 242 by suitable means.

The snap catch 258 has a curved portion 262, which is adapted to fit around the adjacent rod 228 of the curved portion 206 to hold the curved portion 206 in its closed position. The snap catch 258 has a spur 264, which may be grasped by the workman to permit removal of the snap catch 258 from engagement with the rod 228 of the curved portion 206. This allows the curved portion 206 to be pivoted from its closed position to permit access to the interior of the basket 56, which has a lighting fixture 266 (shown in phantom in FIGURE 18) resting on the bottom plate 212. Of course, the curved portion 208 may be moved from its closed position by grasping the snap catch 256 to provide access to the opposite side of the basket 56 if desired.

The basket 56, which has a portion shown in phantom in FIGURE 14, is supported on the elevator 128 through cooperation between the middle transverse member of the back portion 204 of the basket 56 and a pair of hooks 268 and 270 on the top member 176 of the elevator 128. The basket 56 also is supported on the elevator 128 by a pair of downwardly extending pins 272 and 274 (see FIG- URE 17) fitting into openings 276 and 278 (see FIG- URE 15), respectively, in a flange 280 on the bottom or lower member 178 of the elevator 128. The basket 56 also has a catch 282, which is adapted to fit within an opening or receptacle 284 in the lower member 178 of the elevator 128.

The basket 56 is mounted on the elevator 128 by positioning it so that the pins 272 and 274 will slide into the openings 276 and 278, respectively, as the middle transverse member of the back portion 204 slides between the hooks 268 and 270 and the top member 176. The catch 282 fits within the opening 284 in the lower member 178 of the elevator 128 when the basket 56 is fully resting on the flange 280. Thus, a plurality of support connections insures that the basket 56 is secured to the elevator 128 for movement therewith.

As previously mentioned, the members 146 and 152 of the elevator 128 are employed to stop downward movement of the elevator 128 whenever the flexible member 126 ceases to exert a force on the elevator 128. However, other means must be employed to hold the elevator 128 in position during up and down movement of the elevator 128 when the flexible member 126 is exerting a force on the elevator 128 in order to reduce the load on the flexible member 126 except during raising and lowering of the elevator 128.

Accordingly, a ratchet 286 (see FIGURE 13) is attached to the shaft of the reel 108 by a key 288. The ratchet 286 cooperates with a pivotally mounted pawl 290 having an extension 292, which is disposed beneath a guard 293 protecting the workman from the reel 108. The guard 293 is secured to the mounting plates 114 and 118 When in the position shown in FIGURE 13, the pawl 290 prevents movement of the drum 124 in a direction to allow downward movement of the elevator 128. It readily permits upward movement of the elevator 128 by winding of the flexible member 126 on the drum 124.

An eccentric cam 294 is rotatably mounted on an extension 205 (see FIGURE 12) of the mounting plate 118 by a pin 296. The cam 294 has an eccentric surface always in contact with the extension 292 of the pawl 290. The eccentric surface of the cam 294 permits the pawl 290 to engage the ratchet 286 in one position. However, when a lever 298 of the cam 294 is actuated, the eccentric surface of the cam 294 moves the pawl 290 out of engagement with the ratchet 286.

When it is desired to lower the elevator 128, the lever 298 is actuated. This allows the elevator 128 to fall due to its own weight whereby the flexible member 126 unwinds from the center drum 124 of the reel 108.

In order to control or regulate the rate of descent of the elevator 128 when falling due to its own weight, a brake band 300 is disposed around the center drum 124 at one end. The brake band 300 has its ends 302 and 304 disposed on opposite sides of a cross member 306, which is secured by suitable means such as rivets 308 to the mounting plates 114 and 118.

The ends 302 and 304 of the brake band 300 are moved toward and away from each other by actuation of a brake handle 310. To apply the brake band 300 to the center drum 124 to retard the descent of the elevator 128, the handle 310 is rotated to move the ends 302 and 304 toward each other.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the portable hoist is shown in its disassembled relationship in FIGURE 1 wherein the pivot member 28 rests on top of the base 12 of the carriage 10, the basket 56 rests on the pivotal member 28, and the extensible member 68 is disposed beneath the base 12 on the support bars 76 and 78 of the carriage 10. In this position, the portable hoist may be easily moved through a door opening of standard size. The width of the carriage 10 is substantially less than the standard width of a door opening to permit the upright portions 36 of the pivotal member 28 to be disposed on the exterior of the base 12 and still pass through the door opening of standard width.

If the portable hoist is to be employed in a church having pews 312 (see FIGURE 10), the carriage 10 is positioned in an aisle adjacent the pews 312. The pivotal member 28 is moved about the pivotal connection of one set of spaced rollers (shown at 44) to align the other set of spaced rollers (shown at 48) with the tracks on the base 12 of the carriage 10.

The rearward set of spaced rollers 48 are then passed between the top flanges 24 and the bottom flanges 22 of the tracks to the position shown in FIGURE 5. The pivotal member 28 is attached to the carriage 10 by the lock 58.

Thereafter, the extensible member 68 is removed from the support bars 76 and 78 and the two portions 70 and 72 are secured together by the lock 80. The extensible member 68 is placed on top of the upright portions 36 of the pivotal member 28 with the circular members 100 of the extensible member 68 disposed in the slots 98 of the pivotal member 28. The flexible member 104 is pulled to rotate the extensible member 68 disposed in the slots 98 of the pivotal member 28. The flexible memher 104 is pulled to rotate the extensible member 68 clockwise (as viewed in FIGURE into vertical alignment with the upright portions 36 of the pivotal member 28 as shown in FIGURE 9. In this position, the extensible member 68 is secured to the pivotal member 28 by the locking member 106.

The basket 56 is mounted on the elevator 128 through the hooks 268 and 270, the holes 276 and 278 and the flange 280 of the elevator 128, and the catch opening 284 in the elevator 128. The basket 56 is shown supported on the elevator 128 in FIGURES 9 and 10.

The carriage 10 is now positioned over a pair of the pews 312 (see FIGURE 10). The carriage 10 has a member 314 disposed beenath the base 12 for cooperation with the back of one of the pews 312. The member 314, which is formed of a material that will not mar the surface of the pew 312 such as plastic or felt covering, for example, engages the pew 312 after the carriage 10 is positioned in substantial vertical alignment with the light ing fixture 266.

Because of the spacing of the pews 312, it may be necessary to move the pivotal member 28 and the remainder of the hoist structure connected thereto to position the basket 56 with respect to the lighting fixture 266. This is accomplished by releasing the lock 58 and sliding the pivotal member 28 along the tracks of the base 12 in either direction. The lock 58 is again applied to secure the pivotal member 28 and its attached hoist structure to the base 12.

The handle 1-22 (see FIGURES 10 and 12) is fitted over one of the ends of the shaft 110 to Wind the flexible member 126 around the center drum 124 of the reel 108. This raises the elevator 128 and the basket 56 toward the lighting fixture 266.

The phantom position of the basket 56 in FIGURE 10 shows the bottom plate 212 of the basket 56 in contact with the bottom of the lighting fixture 266. As described in detail in my aforesaid copending patent application, the lighting fixture 266 includes a hook member 316, which is disposed within an opening (not shown) at the end of a suspension member 318. The suspension memher 318 is connected to the ceiling or other elevated structure within the church. As described in my aforesaid copending U.S. patent application, electric current flows from the suspension member 318 through the hook member 316 to energize the light bulbs of the lighting fixture 266 when the hook member 316 is disposed within the opening (not shown) in the suspension member 318.

When the basket 56 is moved further upwardly by winding the flexible member 126 on the center drum 124, the hook member 316 moves out of the opening (not shown) of the suspension member 318 to disconnect the electrical circuit to the light bulbs and to disconnect the lighting fixture 266 from the suspension member 318. Additional details of this connection are described in my aforesaid copending patent application.

With the lighting fixture 266 disconnected from the suspension member 318, which is the support for the lighting fixture 266, the basket 56 is ready to be moved downwardly. The handle 298 of the cam 294 is actuated to remove the pawl 290 from the engagement with the ratchet 286. This allows the basket 56 and the elevator 128 to descend by their own weight.

The rate of descent of the basket 56 and the lighting fixture 266 supported thereon is regulated or controlled by employing the brake handle 310 to move the ends 302 and 304 of the brake band 300 toward each other to apply the brake band 300 against the center drum 124 of the reel 108 to reduce the rate of descent. Of course, the rate of descent of the basket 56 is increased when the ends 10 302 and 304 of the brake band 300 are moved away from each other by rotation of the brake handle 310 in the opposite direction.

When the basket 56 reaches the bottom of its travel as shown in FIGURE 10, the lighting fixture 266 is readily removed from the basket by disconnecting the snap catch '256 or the snap catch 258 (see FIGURE 18) to permit either the curved portion 208 or the curved portion 206 to be moved away from its closed position. This allows ready access to the lighting fixture 266 so that it may be removed from the basket 56. Any necessary repairs, cleaning, or other maintenance of the lighting fixture 266 is then performed.

To return the lighting fixture 266 to its support on the suspension member 318, the lighting fixture 266 is positioned on the bottom plate 21-2 of the basket 56. Thereafter, the curved portion, which has been in the open position, is returned to its closed position and locked by the appropriate snap catch.

The handle 298 of the cam 294 is moved to allow the pawl 290 to again engage the ratchet 286. The handle '122 is then actuated to wind the flexible member 126 on the center drum 1-24 of the reel 108 to again raise the basket 56. When the basket 56 has elevated the lighting fixture 266 to a position in which the hook member 316 may be inserted within the opening (not shown) in the suepension member 318, it may be necessary to slide the pivotal member 28 along the base 12 of the carriage 10 to permit the hook member 316 to fit within the opening (not shown) in the suspension member 318. This is accomplished by unlocking the lock 58 and permitting a slight movement of the pivotal member 28 along the tracks of the base 12. The lock 58 is then returned to its locked position.

After the lighting fixture 266 is supported by the suspension member 318, the basket 56 is ready to be returned to its lowermost position. This becomes readily observable since the lig-ht bulbs of the lighting fixture 266 are energized when the hook member 316 is supported by the member 318 as described in my aforesaid copending patent application.

The handle 298 of the cam 294 is then actuated to move the cam 294 to prevent the pawl 290 from engaging the ratchet 286. The basket 56 may fall by its own weight, and the rate of descent is controlled by the brake handle 310 in the manner previously described when the basket 56 was descending with the lighting fixture 266 supported thereon.

The carriage may then be moved to other lighting fixtures within the building. When all of the lighting fixtures have been appropriately serviced, the hoist is disassembled by removing the basket 56 from the elevator 128. The extensible member 68 is then unlocked from engagement with the pivotal member 28, and the flexible member 104 is grasped to allow pivoting of the extensible member 68 to the position of FIGURE 5.

The extensible member 68 is next removed from the pivotal member 28. Thereafter, the lock is removed from its locking position so that the portions 70 and 72 may pivot about the pin 74 to their adjacent position from the position in which they were a continuation of each other. The extensible member 68 is next disposed on the support bars 76 and 78 of the carriage 10.

The lock 58 is unlocked to permit rotation of the pivotal member 28 from the position of FIGURE 5 to the position of FIGURE 1. Thereafter, the basket 56 is placed on top of the pivot member 28 as shown in FIGURE 1. The portable hoist is now capable of passing through a door opening of standard size.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a lighting fixture readily removable from its support, it should be understood that the present invention may be utilized with lighting fixtures and other elements fixed to support members on a high ceiling. In this arrangement, the workman must climb a ladder to disconnect the element from its support member. However, the basket 56 can be positioned to support the element as soon as it is released from its support member, which may be a threaded conduit or electrical outlet box, for example.

An advantage of this invention is that it eliminates the need of a workman climbing a ladder to remove lighting fixtures from high ceilings when the lighting fixture is removably connected to the high ceiling. Another advantage of this invention is that a workman does not have to carry an element, which is suspended from a high ceiling through a fixed connection, down a ladder. A further advantage of this invention is that it is safer when a lighting fixture, which is removably suspended from a high ceiling, is to be removed because the workman does not have to leave the floor to remove the lighting fixture. Still another advantage of this invention is that the portable hoist may easily pass through a door opening of standard size.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced support members with one of said sets of spaced support members disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced support members disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage.

2. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage having a width less than the standard width of a door opening, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced support members with one of said sets of spaced support members disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced support members disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, said extensible member including two portions pivotal with respect to each other and adapted to be stored within the confines of the width of said carriage, means to lock said two portions together when they form a continuation of each other, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage.

3. A hoist according to claim 1 in which said elevator moving means includes means to control the rate of descent of said elevator.

4. A hoist according to claim 1 in which said elevator moving means includes a reel supported on said extensible member, means connecting said reel to said elevator, means to wind said connecting means on said reel to raise and lower said elevator, and means to control the rate of descent of said elevator.

5. A hoist according to claim 4 in which said elevator moving means includes means to automatically stop downward movement of said elevator if said connecting means fails to exert a force on said elevator means.

6. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced roller disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal mem ber when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage.

. 7. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage having a width less than the standard Width of a door opening, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, said extensible member including two portions pivotal with respect to each other and adapted to be stored within the confines of the width of said carriage, means to lock said two portions together when they form a continuation of each other, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the elementto said carriage.

8. A hoist according to claim 6 in which said elevator moving means includes means to control the rate of descent of said elevator.

9. A hoist according to claim 6 in which said elevator moving means includes a reel supported on said extensible member, means connecting said reel to said elevator, means to wind said connecting means on said reel to raise and lower said elevator,'and means to control the rate of descent of said elevator.

10. A hoist according to claim 9 in which said elevator moving means includes means tovautomatically stop downward movement of said elevator if said connecting means fails to exert a force on said elevator means.

11. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having .a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, a basket mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said basket to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage, said basket including a pair of pivotally connected portions and means to retain each of said pivotally connected portions in' a closed position and to release each of said pivotally connected portions to allow removal of the element from said basket.

12. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, a basket mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said basket to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage, said basket comprising a bottom plate, a pair of spaced members extending upwardly from said bottom plate, a curved member pivotally connected to one of said spaced members, a curved member pivotally connected to the other of said spaced members, and means to retain each of said curved members in a closed position in which one of said curved members and the adjacent periphery of said bottom plate are in the same vertical plane and the other of said curved members and the adjacent periphery of said bottom plate are in the same vertical plane.

13. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pvotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, said extensible member having a pair of parallel tracks, said elevator having rollers mounted on opposite sides thereof for disposition on said tracks, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage.

14. A hoist for transporting an element supported from a high ceiling, said hoist including a movable carriage, said carriage having a pair of parallel tracks disposed at opposite sides thereof, a pivotal member having two sets of spaced rollers with one of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its rest position and with both of said sets of spaced rollers disposed on said tracks when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to lock said pivotal member to said carriage when said pivotal member is in its upright position, an extensible member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the upper end of said pivotal member when said pivotal member is in its upright position, means to move said extensible member to an upright position, means to lock said extensible member to said pivotal member whereby said extensible member is disposed in its upright position, an elevator slidably movable on said extensible member with respect thereto, said extensible member having a pair of parallel tracks, each of said tracks having a U-shaped cross section of 'a base and two parallel flanges connected to said base, said elevator having rollers mounted on opposite sides thereof for disposition on said tracks, said rollers of said elevator being mounted in cooperating pairs with their axes of. rotation at right angles to each other whereby one of said rollers of each cooperating pair rolls on both of said flanges of said tracks and the other of said rollers of each cooperating pair rolls on said base of said track when said elevator is moved, support means mounted on said elevator for movement therewith, and means to move said elevator vertically to position said support means to receive the element for support and to transport the element to said carriage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,105,956 8/1914 Boehck 187-11 1,512,390 10/1924 Young 18711 1,834,652 12/1931 Schmid 187-2 3,189,189 6/1965 Waerum et al 212-46 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. A. NIELSEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HOIST FOR TRANSPORTING AN ELEMENT SUPPORTED FROM A HIGH CEILING, SAID HOIST INCLUDING A MOVABLE CARRIAGE, SAID CARRIAGE HAVING A PAIR OF PARALLEL TRACKS DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, A PIVOTAL MEMBER HAVING TWO SETS OF SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS WITH ONE OF SAID SETS OF SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS DISPOSED ON SAID TRACKS WHEN SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER IS IN ITS REST POSITION AND WITH BOTH OF SAID SETS OF SPACED SUPPORT MEMBERS DISPOSED ON SAID TRACKS WHEN SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER IS IN ITS UPRIGHT POSITION, MEANS TO LOCK SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER TO SAID CARRIAGE WHEN SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER IS IN ITS UPRIGHT POSITION, AN EXTENSIBLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END OF SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER WHEN SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER IS IN ITS UPRIGHT POSITION, MEANS TO MOVE SAID EXTENSIBLE MEMBER TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, MEANS TO LOCK SAID EXTENSIBLE MEMBER TO SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER WHEREBY SAID EXTENSIBLE MEMBER IS DISPOSED IN ITS UPRIGHT POSITION, AN ELEVATOR SLIDABLY MOVABLE ON SAID EXTENSIBLE MEMBER WITH RESPECT THERETO, SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID ELEVATOR FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, AND MEANS TO MOVE SAID ELEVATOR VERTICALLY TO POSITION SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO RECEIVE THE ELEMENT FOR SUPPORT AND TO TRANSPORT THE ELEMENT TO SAID CARRIAGE. 